Pune: A Sukhoi aircraft experienced a hard landing at Pune Airport on Wednesday (August 14), causing a significant disruption in airport operations.
The incident occurred during a routine training exercise when the aircraft suddenly dropped from a height of eight to ten feet while attempting to land on the runway.
This unexpected hard landing prompted the Indian Air Force to temporarily close the runway for approximately 40 minutes as a precautionary measure to inspect for potential damage.
Pune Airport, which serves as a base station for the Indian Air Force, routinely hosts training exercises involving Sukhoi aircraft.
On Wednesday morning, around 10 AM, a Sukhoi aircraft engaged in one such exercise encountered a hard landing. Although the aircraft’s landing gear remained intact, the substantial weight of the aircraft (18,400 kg) combined with its landing speed (230 km/h) raised concerns about possible damage to the runway.
Given that any damage to the runway could pose a risk to passenger flights, the Indian Air Force issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), leading to the closure of the runway for further inspection.
The closure of the runway caused significant disruptions to Pune Airport’s flight schedule. Four incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports, while seven to eight other flights experienced delays of up to one and a half hours. Passengers faced considerable inconvenience as a result.
Air Force officials carried out a thorough inspection of the runway during the closure. By 11:10 AM, after determining that the runway was safe for operations, the NOTAM was lifted, and normal flight operations resumed at Pune Airport.
Why Did the Hard Landing Occur?
A hard landing can result from pilot error or external factors such as wind conditions. Typically, when an aircraft drops from a height of eight to ten feet after deploying its landing gear, there is an increased risk of damage to the aircraft’s tires or the runway. However, in this instance, sources confirmed that no significant damage occurred.
Importance of Runway Inspections
A Sukhoi aircraft’s considerable weight and speed during landing make it crucial to inspect the runway after a hard landing. Any damage, such as small pits or dislodged soil, could endanger other aircraft during landing, leading to potential tire damage, skidding, or even debris entering the engines. Thus, immediate inspection of the runway was essential to ensure safety.
Impact on Flights
The following flights were directly affected by the runway closure:
An Indigo flight from Chennai to Pune was diverted to Hyderabad.
An Indigo flight from Delhi to Pune was diverted to Mumbai.
A Vistara flight from Delhi to Pune was diverted to Mumbai.
An Air India flight from Bengaluru to Pune returned to Bengaluru.
Additionally, seven to eight flights were delayed by up to one and a half hours.
According to Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd), “A hard landing can occur due to pilot error or wind conditions. The impact on the runway depends on the aircraft’s weight and speed. Such incidents can happen during training exercises.”